• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: Full Time
• Salary Range: $140,000-$160,000

Position Summary

As part of the Student Financial Services (SFS) team, and reporting to the Executive Director, Accounting and Business Management for Student Financial Services, the Director, Student Financial Accounting and Services, is responsible for managing critical student focused financial functions. The Director will oversee and supervise the teams responsible for accounting and reconciliation functions and payments and deposits. The Director ensures work is completed accurately, timely and effectively and performs ongoing assessments to enhance and improve operations and reporting and to continue the professional development of team members. The Director will collaborate with internal and external constituents such as the Office of the Controller, internal and external auditors, financial aid directors, business officers and University departments for matters related to student payment operations, compliance, management and reporting, and fiscal monthly and year-end closing processes for SFS. The Director will coordinate, review, reconcile and complete annual, quarterly, monthly, and other periodic reports including FISAP and AOR.

The Director will support the development and execution of strategic plans for SFS for the purpose of enhancing efficiency, operational effectiveness, strengthened controls, and improved service delivery. Additionally, the Director will also support divisional strategic planning initiatives, identify cost savings improvement opportunities, and the assessment of overall business performance.

Responsibilities

Accounting, Reconciliation and Control Monitoring

• Ensures the completion of monthly and quarterly reconciliations and variance analysis for various SFS related balance sheet and income statement items;
• Ensures accounting responsibilities are performed accurately and in compliance with GAAP;
• Oversees the maintenance and development of WEBI Business Objects reports to support efficient reconciliations;
• Liaises with other units in the Controller’s Office to successfully complete external audits;
• Coordinates the reconciliation of Title IV funds with other SFS units including the University Financial Aid office;
• Coordinates the monitoring of SFS related financial internal controls;
• Performs control structure review and analysis and oversees implementation of recommendations and process enhancements

Payment and Deposits

• Responsible for the oversight of the control structure;
• Ensures effective and timely resolution to student inquiries;
• In collaboration with the Associate Director, Payments & Deposits, performs monthly payments and deposits data analysis;
• Investigates way to enhance the cash/check receipting process through new technologies and processes.

Management, Training, and Special Projects

• Directly manages and provides operational and technical guidance to three Associate Directors for Accounting & Reconciliation and Payments & Deposits.
• Managerial oversight of nine full-time employees including selection, performance appraisals, and ensuring ongoing training and professional development occurs.
• Participates in ad-hoc business-related projects and serves as a resource for special or strategic initiatives

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of seven years’ related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree and/or CPA desirable.
• Knowledge of financial aid, student accounting, or billing processes is a plus.
• Experience with PeopleSoft Financials or comparable ERP system strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with other accounting software programs a plus.

Other Requirements

• Prior demonstrated experience developing a team and managing two or more staff required.
• At least six years of experience in finance, accounting or business management required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain productive relationships are essential.
• Proven leader who demonstrates diplomacy and tact and works in a collegial and collaborative manner required.
• Must have a reputation as a manager who builds and develops others to work effectively as a cohesive team.
• Demonstrated strategic understanding of the integral role of student financial services required.
• The ability to convey technical information and policy issues in a concise, persuasive manner at all levels of the University is required.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Strong customer service skills and results orientation are essential. The ability to manage multiple projects and business relationships simultaneously and work independently while managing multiple and sequential deadlines is required.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint required.
• Excellent writing skills and ability to work with various constituents representing all organizational levels are essential.
• Experience assessing and designing financial processes required.
• In addition, the successful candidate must be able to work well with all levels of management, both internally and externally, be flexible in nature, have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style of leadership that encourages teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization, and a strong role model, manager and coach.
• Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.